Ohio Man Sentenced for Drug Cartel Weapons Scheme
An Ohio man is heading to prison for conspiring to send weapons to drug cartels in Mexico. He was arrested thanks to the work of undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Yuendry Rodriguez Hilario was sentenced to 13 years and four months, after pleading guilty to the charges in November 2023.
Rodriguez Hilario is accused of conspiring to traffic firearms, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and money laundering.
“The 13-year sentence imposed in this case reflects the severity of the crime — and years of difficult and dangerous work by ATF agents and their law enforcement partners. Because of their efforts, the Department kept scores of high-powered firearms out of the hands of the Mexican cartels and secured the conviction and lengthy sentences of the traffickers responsible,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
A second suspect, 24-year-old Saleh Yusuf Saleh, was sentenced in November to nearly six years behind bars.
Undercover Operation
According to court records, undercover ATF agents posing as Mexican cartel members, met Rodriguez Hilario, and discussed the purchase of AR-15s and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The suspect also offered fentanyl to one of the undercover agents to make pills.
Prosecutors say that starting in late-2021, members of the conspiracy sold or arranged the sale of at least 90 rifles and one machine gun with a silencer to undercover agents both in Cleveland and the Middle District of Florida.
At a March 2023 meeting, an additional 40 firearms were arranged to be delivered. Prosecutors say that once the second suspect, Saleh, arrived at the meeting, the two men were arrested.
“Firearms trafficking is not a victimless crime,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “Those who seek to divert firearms to unlawful markets in Mexico are often arming dangerous drug cartels, who use these high-powered weapons to fuel their criminal activities.”
The case was investigated by the ATF Tampa and Columbus Field Divisions and is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. The initiative provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.